The participants in this project came as immigrants and refugees in search of safety and a new life for themselves and their families. Many women who work in cleaning are non-unionized, racialised and low-income, and often cannot negotiate good working conditions or living wages.

Red Tree and c3collective gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council’s Artists and Community Collaboration Program for Integrated Arts, Ontario Arts Council’s Community Arts’ Artists in the Community/Workplace Program, Service Employees International Union and Working Women Community Centre whose assistance have made this project possible. We gratefully acknowledge Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre and Mayworks Festival for their enthusiastic support in exhibitingScouring City, Brushing Sky. We also thank Karen Aguiar, Gregoria Cid, and Esther Bedon, the childcare workers at our Saturday morning workshops.